Shoe having covered insole body and nailed-on heel



J. MELTZER 2,772,488

SHOE: HAVING COVERED INSDLE BODY AND MAILED-0N HEEL Des., 4, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 20, 1955 INVEN TOR.

Dec., 4, 1956 J. MELTZER 2,772,488

sHoE HAVING COVERED INsoLE BODY AND NA1LED-DN HEEL Filed Jul/ 2o, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 2 vllll I INVENTOR. L/ACK Ma T25@ United States Patent O SHOE HAVING COVERED INSOLE BODY AND NAlLED-ON HEEL .lack Meltzer, Hollywood, Calif.

Application July 20, 1955, Serial No. 523,331

Claims. (Cl. 36-2.5)

The present invention relates generally to shoes, and has particular reference to shoes with nailed-on heels, and to certain improvements in the construction and mode of assembly thereof.

By the term nailed-on heel reference is intended to the securement of the heel by fasteners extending or driven into it, whether they be nails, screws, or fasteners of similar kind and purpose. Where a heel is held in place by this means, the comfort and appearance of the inside of the shoe, in the heel region, are commonly impaired, because of the difficulty of adequately covering and concealing the nail heads after they have been driven into the heel. The customary practice has been to employ a piece of material, such as leather or the like, laid over the nail heads after the shoe has been otherwise completed, and held down by adhesive. Sometimes the rear end of a laid-in sock lining has been -used for the purpose. It is almost impossible to `avoid using insuicient adhesive, so that the raw edges of the covering piece lift and curl undesirably, or an excessive amount of adhesive which oozes in undesirable and unattractive manner beyond the raw edges of the covering piece and impairs the comfort ,and appearance of the inside of the shoe. Moreover, adhesive does not create a iirm bond with smooth or relatively smooth surfaces, and the covering pieces have a tendency to shift and crease, with obvious resultant impairment of wearing qualities, comfort, and appearance.

For the reasons mentioned, among others, it has never been practical to provide a shoe with nailed-on heel with a completely wrapped or covered insole body. Such an insole body is relatively thick and soft, comfortably cushioned, and attractive in appearance, hence highly desirable; but its employment has heretofore been confined to shoes in which the heel can be held in position by means other than nails or fasteners. Examples are shoes of the so-called wedgie type, in which the heel unit has extensive top and bottom surfaces sandwiched between the covered insole body on the top and the outsole of the shoe on the bottom, and held reasonably securely by adhesive means.

It is a general object of this invention to provide a shoe construction in which the advantages of a covered insole body and a nailed-on heel can be simultaneously achieved, and in which the disadvantages inherent in pasted-down sock linings or heel-pad pieces are completely avoided.

The improved construction lends itself readily to cmployment in a large variety of different kinds of shoes, regardless of the contours or the nature of the upper, or of the heel itself. The covered insole body can be provided with padding or cushioning material of any' selected kind, or if desired it may be unpadded; it may or may not be provided with a built in shank stiffener; and its construction and mode of use permits it to be ornamented in a variety of ways, including stitches extending entirely through it, and including interesting two-tone effects.

ICC

The achievement of these general objects and advantages, and such other objects and advantages as may hereinafter be pointed out, is illustratively exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which l have shown the manner of employing the invention in various ways. ln the drawings- Fig. l is a perspective view of a shoe constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an exploded View of the parts entering into the construction of the covered insole body of TFig. l;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the covered insole body by itself, with the special liftable element lifted;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an exploded View showing the manner of associating the covered insole body with the heel;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary enlarged view substantially on the line 6 6 of Fig. l;

Fig. 7 is a View similar to Fig. 3, showing a modification;

Figs. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views similar to Fig. 4 showing modified constructions adapted to create twotone effects; and

Fig. l0 is a fragmentary perspective view of a modified way of restoring the liftable element.

The shoe l have chosen for illustration in Fig. l is provided with a heel Ztl and a covered insole unit 21. The heel may be of any desired type or shape, and may itself be covered, if desired, in known fashion.

The parts entering into the insole unit consist of a relatively hard yet pliable element 22, composed of liber board, composition material, or the like; an overlying element 23 of cushioning material such as foam rubber, or other selected padding material; and a covering piece Z4 composed of leather, fabric, or equivalent appropriate exible material. The area of the piece 24 is larger than that of the elements 22, 23 so that the edges may be enclosed, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4.. Thus, the covering piece 24 constitutes a main area overlying the top surface of the insole body, and a peripheral area or region extending around and enclosing the marginal edges of the insole body. The edges of the covering material are folded or tucked beneath the insole body, and are held in place adhesively.

As hereinbefore stated, the insole body need not necessarily be provided with the padding piece 23; and in t any case it may be provided with selected shank stiftening elements or the like, well-known per se. The important characteristic of the present insole body is that it is completely covered by a covering that extends inarginally around the edges and thus presents, in the finished article of footwear, an insole that is extremely comfortable, attractive in appearance, and devoid of raw edges that may curl or become misplaced.

In accordance with my invention the main area of the covering element 24, in the region beneath which the heel is to be attached, is provided with a cut 26 defining the outline of a liftable element 27' of appreciable size that may be temporarily lifted and subsequently replaced. l have chosen to show the cut 26 of elliptical shape, but any desired other shape may be employed.

Underlying the opening left by the element 27 when it is lifted, and extending completely across this opening, is a patch of material 23, preferably held in position by stitches 29 connecting it marginally to the margin of the opening in the piece 24. The chief purpose of the patch 28 is to facilitate the adhesive securement to it of the element 27 when it is restored into position. Accordingly, the patch 23 has a top surface of rough texture adapted to retain adhesive thereon and adapted to form a secure adhesive bond with the element 27.

The patch 28 may also be provided with slits or equivalent openings 30 to permit the passage of fasteners 31 (Fig. by means of which the heel is secured to the insole body. In Figs. 2, 3 and 5 I have shown a crossshaped slit or opening 30 at the center of the patch 28, adapted to receive through it the shank as well as the head of a screw by means of which a firm connection is established between the insole body and the heel; and I have shown three additional slits 30 intended to permit passage of the Shanks and heads of nails to enhance the attachment of the heel.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a modification in which three relatively long lines 32 arranged in intersecting relationship provide a similar set of slits .for the passage of nails or similar fasteners. The advantage of the arrangement shown in Fig. 7 is that the triangular-shaped portions of the patch lying between the slits 32 may be lifted temporarily, as indicated in Fig. 7, if for any reason it may be desirable to drive the fasteners directly into the underlying part of the insole body. This contingency may arise where an automatic nailing machine is employed, adapted to drive a plurality of nails into the heel, all at one time.

The slits 3f) of Fig. 5 (and the slits 32 of Fig. 7 when the' material of the patch is not preliminarily lifted) serve also as guides to indicate the position at which each fastener is to be applied.

In assembling the parts of the shoe, the covered insole body of Fig. 3 is first produced. The element 27 is temporarily lifted, and the insole body is brought into association with the heel 20 in the desired relationship. The fasteners 3i are then driven downwardly into the heel, to an extent sufiicient to embed the heads of the fasteners within the insole body beneath the patch 28 (see Fig. 6). The element 27 is then restored, and the ease with which this may be done, and the firmness with which the element is held in restored position7 are features of the invention directly resulting from the novel construction shown. The liftable element has a peripheral edge adapted to abut against and be snugly surrounded by the edge of the cut 26, as a result of which no raw edge is present in the finished assembly. Also, since there is no danger of adhesive escaping beyond the peripheral bounds of the element 27, being confined within the shallow recess into which the element is placed, there is no danger that the amount of adhesive will be insufiicient, nor that any excess will exude to an undesirable degree. Furthermore, because of the rough upper surface of the patch, previously mentioned, the adhesive bond between the element 27 and the underlying surface is secure and permanent.

In the finished shoe, the region upon which the heel of the wearer rests is attractive in appearance, padded to any desired degree, and devoid of raw edges. At the same time, the heel of the shoe is securely held in position by nails or equivalent fasteners. Moreover, the fastener heads are completely concealed and overlaid, and do not intrude into or impair the comfort and appearance of the exposed top surface of the insole body.

In Fig. 7 I have also shown the possibility of modifying the construction by having the cut 33 in the insole cover 34 extend around all but a minor part of the outline of the element 35, so that the element remains at all times at least partially attached to the insole cover 34.

Obviously, the element Z7 (Figs. l-6), or the element 35 (Fig. 7) may be provided with any desired ornamentation, provided by ornamental stitching or otherwise, to detract lfrom its presence or to blend into the surrounding regions of the insole cover. For example, if the cut is of appropriate shape, the ornamentation in conjunction with the cut may define a trade-mark or similar emblem, utilitarian or ornamental in purpose.

Where a two-tone effect may be desired, recourse may be had to either of the constructions shown in Figs. 8 and 9. In Fig. 9 the peripheral area 36 of the insole cover is formed of a material separate from that defining the main area indicated at 37. These two parts of the insole cover are arranged edge to edge and secured by an inturned seam 38. Obviously, since two pieces are involved, one may have a coloration or texture distinguishable from the other. In other respects the construction is the same as that hereinbefore described, the patch 39 extending across and spanning the opening defined by the cut 40 into which the liftable element (not shown) is ultimately replaced. In Fig. 8 it is the material of the patch 41 that is extended marginally to define the peripheral parts 42 that enclose the edges of the insole body 43, and the main or overlying area of the insole cover is Aformed of two plies, the upper ply being defined by a separate piece of material 44 whose peripheral edge has a shape and size substantially conforming to that of the insole body. The piece or layer 44 is secured to the underlying layer or ply 41 by stitches 4S extending peripherally around the entire insole body. By making the layers 41 and 44 of distinguishable or different materials, the desired two-tone effect may be achieved. In Fig. 8 l have shown the cut 46 defining the recess into which the liftable element is ultimately replaced, but as in Fig. 9 I have omitted the liftable element itself.

In Fig. l0 I have shown a modification in which the liftable element 66 may be restored into position within the confines of the cut 67 by means of lacing 68 applied by an appropriate needle or other tool, and serving to hold the element 66 in snug position, surrounded by the edge of the cut 67, after the screw and nails 69, or other fasteners, have been driven into the heel beneath (not shown in Fig. 10). In the construction depicted in Fig. l0, it may not be necessary to provide an underlying patch to which the element 66 is adhesively bonded.

It Will be understood that -many of the details herein described and illustrated may be modified by those skilled in the art without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a shoe having a covered insole body and a heel beneath its rear end: an insole cover extending over the top surface of said insole body and around its edge, said cover having near its rear end a cut formed in its top surface and shaped to define the outline of a liftable element that may be temporarily lifted and then restored, the lifting of said element permitting the driving of fasteners through the insole body into said heel, the restoration of the element serving to conceal said fasteners, said element having a peripheral edge adapted to abut against and be snugly surrounded by the edge of said cut when the element is in restored position.

2. In a shoe, the construction defined in claim l, said insole body including a full-length layer of soft cushioning material lying directly beneath said cover.

3. In a shoe, the construction defined in claim l, said cut extending around the entire periphery of said liftable element.

4. In a shoe, the construction defined in claim l, said cut extending around all but a minor part of the periphery of said liftable element so that said element remains at all times at least partially attached to said insole cover.

5. In a shoe, the combination with the construction defined in claim l of a patch underlying and spanning the opening left by said liftable element when it is lifted, and stitching securing said patch along its margin to the margin of said opening, said patch having a top surface of rough texture adapted to retain adhesive thereon and to form a secure adhesive bond with the liftable element when the latter is restored.

6. In a shoe having a covered insole body and a heel beneath its rear end: an insole cover having a main area overlying the insole body and a peripheral region extending around the edge of said body, said main area having near its rear end a cut shaped to define the outline lof a liftable element, and a patch underlying and spanning the opening left by said element when it is lifted, stitching securing said patch along its margin to the margin of said opening, said patch having a top surface of rough texture adapted to receive and hold adhesive and to form a secure adhesive bond With said liftable element; the lifting of said element permitting the driving of fasteners through the insole body into said heel, the restoration of said element serving to conceal said fasteners, said peripheral region of the insole cover being an integral part of said main area, and said patch being of such a size and shape that its periphery substantially coincides with that of the rear end of the underlying insole body.

7. In a shoe having a covered insole body and a heel beneath its rear end: an insole cover having a main area overlying the insole body and a peripheral region extending around the edge of said body, said main area cornprising superposed plies the upper of which is of such size and shape that its periphery substantially coincides with that of the underlying insole body, said upper ply having near its rear end a cut shaped to define the outline of a liftable element, the lower ply having a top surface of rough texture which underlies and spans the opening left by said liftable element when it is lifted, said surface being adapted to receive and hold adhesive and to form a secure adhesive bond with said element, the lifting of said element permitting the driving of fasteners through the insole body into said heel, the restoration of said element serving to conceal said fasteners; said peripheral region of the insole cover being an integral part of said lower ply.

8. In a shoe having a covered insole body and a heel beneath its rear end: an insole cover having a main area overlying the insole body and a peripheral region extending around the edge of said body, said main area having near its rear end a cut shaped to define the outline of a liftable element, and a patch underlying and spanning the opening left by said element when it is lifted, stitching securing said patch along its margin to the margin of said opening, said patch having a top surface of rough texture adapted to receive and hold adhesive and to form a secure adhesive bond with said element, the lifting of said element permitting the driving of fasteners through the insole body into said heel, the restoration of said element serving to conceal said fasteners; said peripheral region of the insole cover being a separate piece of material secured by an inturned seam to the main area of the insole cover.

9. In a shoe having a covered insole body and a heel beneath its rear end: an insole cover having a main area overlying the insole body and a peripheral region extending around the edge of said body, said main area having near its rear end a cut shaped. to define the outline of a liftable element, and a patch underlying and spanning the opening left by said element when it is lifted, stitching securing said patch along its margin to the margin of said opening, said patch having a top surface of rough texture adapted to receive and hold adhesive and to form a secure adhesive bond with said element, the lifting of said element permitting the driving of fasteners through the insole body into said heel, the restoration of said element serving to conceal said fasteners; said patch having slits therein through which said fasteners may be driven into said heel.

10. In a shoe, the construction defined in claim 1, in which said liftable element is retained in said restored position by lacing extending across said cut and through the margins of said element and the surrounding material.

References Cited in the ijle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 889,093 Bemis May 26, 1908 1,678,739 Macdonald July 3l, 1928 2,691,227 Sachs Oct. 12, 1954 2,707,342 Maccarone- May 3, 1955 

